Two weeks ago, my dentist extracted six teeth to prepare me for an upper denture. I had severe gum disease, and several teeth loosened and fell out, so I only had six teeth left. The left side of my face was already swollen before the extractions. My dentist said infection from gum disease caused the swelling, so she prescribed amoxicillin for me to take before she completed the extractions. The infection seemed to be getting better, but it got worse toward the middle of last week. I called my dentist, and she said that I needed to keep taking the antibiotics. I’m taking ibuprofen, but it is not helping at all. And the left side of my face feels hard. Should I expect improvement, or does it sound as if something else is wrong? Thank you. Don

Don,

Although Dr. Finley or Dr. Henderson would need to examine your mouth, it sounds like the infection is getting worse. It would help if you let your dentist know that amoxicillin is not working.

Although amoxicillin is often effective for oral infection, sometimes an infection will not respond to it. And lack of improvement usually means that the bacteria is resistant to the medication.

Ask your dentist to switch you to a different antibiotic. Your quick action will prevent your jaw infection from getting worse. As the infection spreads into the bone, they become more challenging to treat and increases your health risk.

Without new medication, your discomfort will increase, and you will delay the process of getting your upper denture. Your dentist will ensure your oral tissue is healthy and not swollen before fitting you for a new denture. Otherwise, the denture will not fit over time, and the pressure of the denture on your gums will cause further irritation.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, LA, accredited cosmetic dentist and Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, sponsors this post.